Matthew 23:27-39
I know the media attention to almost any scandal makes it loom larger than life. The details and facts are immediately telegraphed to the entire world. Still, there are scandals that exist. Organized religion is not immune from it. In fact major religions seems to have a penchant for it.
History is replete with things that many hope ( and pray ) would be forgotten. The crusades, the inquisition, the activities of many Popes, bishops and priests are the stuff legends are made of. Perhaps the word would be infamous and in fact what I just mentioned is worse than mere scandal. I am aware of some hostility I may hold in regards to the Roman church but I really don't wish to rehash that here although the lines may get blurry. Don't assume I am speaking about the Roman church right now. I will say that many of the right wingnut conservatives of religion are the ones that seem to fall the furthest ( from their respective thrones ) and from their stated positions on sexual mores.
Whom should we name first? The list seems endless. Just recently the leader of a mega church stepped down for 'moral failings'. (read: sexual improprieties) There are too many televangelists that cheated on their spouse, had a gay liaison or had a drug problem. I would like to focus on the area of sexuality though.
The God given gift of sexuality has been bastardized at every turn with little or no gray areas to these churches and people. Instead of dealing with sex as the gift that it is, in all its varieties, shades and diversity, it is held as a highly regulated evil. Such regulation is not from Christ. This is not from God. One only need look at God's created world to see the diversity and beauty. Why would the gift of sex be any less diverse or beautiful? Does sexual activity have to be entered into with respect, dignity and mutuality? Yes, absolutely. But isn't that true of all the gifts we are entrusted with by God? Why is sexual activity and love singled out? Such problematic norms seem more a product of personal issues that people and institutions have with sex than anything else. Problems with sexuality come out of ignorance and a lack of current and fundamental scientific knowledge.
Where does this come from with regards to today's passage? It is the hypocrisy of church related sexual mores that are unnatural, strict and frankly not adhered to by those that promote them the most. It is the "do as I say", not "do as I do" club. It s the elephant in the room that ( and I have to say it ) the Roman church has with regards to the gay community. Being gay is "intrinsically disordered" but half the clergy are gay and few can live up to an almost impossible rule on celibacy. Also, the notion of "saving yourself for marriage" is an almost dangerous paradigm for the lay people as well. Such incredibly hypocrisy.
Human sexuality needs a fresh look by everyone, every person and every religion. Perhaps the public at large already has. The 'sensus fidelium' shows that people do almost universally all have sex before marriage and people do realize the concept of 'intrinsically dissordered' is completely wrong and not consistent with God's love, respect and the diversity of his created world or science.
The hypocrisy and outdated nature of religious standards that are set on sexuality are laughable. What is more laughable and sad is the standards that religions set for themselves and ignore en masse. Sadly, this is why many people revel in the news of another preacher, priest or rabbi who fails to live up to these archaic man made standards.
Explore healthy, respectful sexuality. Embrace who you are and enjoy the totality of who you are respectfully. Explore and educate yourself on what is normal and perhaps mediate on the great gift you have been graced with and how you enjoy it.
‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’
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